Apparatus, systems and methods for content playlist based on user location

ABSTRACT

An exemplary geographic playlist system includes a plurality of mobile devices with global positioning systems that provide geographic location information of the mobile device to a geographic location playlist device. The geographic location playlist device has a database of geographic playlist information that includes at least a unique identifier for each one of a plurality of media content events and at least one associated geographic location for each of the plurality of media content events. The geographic location playlist device determines a current geographic location of the mobile device, compares the geographic location of the mobile device with the geographic locations residing in the database, and generates user geographic playlist information that includes the identifier of media content events that has an associated geographic location that matches with the determined geographic location of the mobile device. A geographic playlist is then presented to the user of the mobile device.

APPLICATION PRIORITY

This patent application is a Continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 17/157, 831, filed Jan. 25, 2021, entitled“APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTENT PLAYLIST BASED ON USERLOCATION,” which is a Continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 16/451,931, filed Jun. 25, 2019, entitled“APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTENT PLAYLIST BASED ON USERLOCATION,” which is Continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 15/858,478, filed Dec. 29, 2017, entitled“APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTENT PLAYLIST BASED ON USERLOCATION,” and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,339,194 on Jul. 2, 2019, whichis a Continuation of U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No.14/629,769, filed Feb. 24, 2015, entitled “APPARATUS, SYSTEMS ANDMETHODS FOR CONTENT PLAYLIST BASED ON USER LOCATION,” and issued as U.S.Pat. No. 9,858,346 on Jan. 2, 2018, the content of which are hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

When travelling, a user may be interested in accessing content thatrelates to a location that the user is currently at, has recently beento, or may be at in the immediate future. However, the process of“finding” relevant content when the user conducts a manual search ofvarious content sources may be time consuming, potentially unproductive,and unreliable. That is, available search engines that the user mightaccess during their travels to conduct a content search could provideincomplete content information and/or content information that is notrelevant and/or that is not of interest to the user. Further, the timerequired for the user to conduct a search for content may besignificant, and may otherwise detract from the process of travelling.

Accordingly, there is a need in the arts to permit a user to identifycontent that may be of interest to a geographic location in which theyare currently travelling. Further, there is a need to provide convenientaccess to such identified content on a timely basis.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods of presenting a geographic playlist that identifiesmedia content events which are associated with a location of a mobiledevice are disclosed. An exemplary geographic playlist system includes aplurality of mobile devices with global positioning systems that providegeographic location information of the mobile device to a geographiclocation playlist device. The geographic location playlist device has adatabase of geographic playlist information that includes at least aunique identifier for each one of a plurality of media content eventsand at least one associated geographic location for each of theplurality of media content events. The geographic location playlistdevice determines a current geographic location of the mobile device,compares the geographic location of the mobile device with thegeographic locations residing in the database, and generates usergeographic playlist information that includes the identifier of mediacontent events that has an associated geographic location that matcheswith the determined geographic location of the mobile device. Ageographic playlist is then presented to the user of the mobile device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred and alternative embodiments are described in detail below withreference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a geographic locationplaylist generation system;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an example geographiclocation playlist device;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the geographic location playlist generationsystem implemented in an example media device;

FIG. 4 conceptually illustrates an example format of a database used foran exemplary geographic playlist information;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an embodiment of a user geographicplaylist;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example embodiment of a graphical userinterface (GUI) that is presented on the display in response to a user'sselection of one of the listed media content events (or portionsthereof); and

FIG. 7 is an example user geographic playlist presented as a map withindicating icons associated with media content events of interest.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a geographic locationplaylist generation system 100. The exemplary embodiment of thegeographic location playlist generation system 100 is implemented in anexemplary environment that comprises a media device 102, a geographiclocation playlist device 104, a media content broadcast facility 106, abroadcast system 108, a remote content system 110, and a plurality ofmobile devices 112. The media device 102 receives a media content stream114 provided from the media content broadcast facility 106 over thebroadcast system 108. The media content stream 114 is provided by amedia content service provider. Other environments may include fewerelements that the elements illustrated in FIG. 1 and/or may includeother elements (not shown).

Embodiments of the geographic location playlist generation system 100receive geographic location information from one of the mobile devices112. The geographic location information indicates a current geographiclocation, an anticipated or expected future geographic location, or aprevious geographic location, of that particular mobile device 112.Preferably, the geographic location information is defined or providedin a suitable coordinate system, such as a latitude value and alongitude value. Any suitable coordinate system may be used.Alternatively, or additionally, the geographic location information maybe provided as an address, city, known reference point (such as ahistorical landmark, well known landmark, or the like) or the like. Someembodiments may convert such alternative geographic location informationinto latitude and longitude values.

Based on the received geographic location information, embodiments ofthe geographic location playlist generation system 100 identify at leastone media content event that pertains to the received geographiclocation information. In an example embodiment, a user geographicplaylist (geo-playlist) 116 is generated and is communicated to themedia device 102 and/or the mobile devices 112 for presentation on adisplay 118. For example, the media device 102 is communicativelycoupled to a television 120 (TV) such that the user geographic playlist116 is presented on the display 118 of the TV 120. Alternatively, oradditionally, the user geographic playlist 116 may be presented on thedisplay 118 of the example note pad 112 a (tablet 112 a) or the examplesmart phone 112 b. The user geographic playlist 116 lists identifiers ofa plurality of media content events or identifier and identifiers of aplurality of media content event portions that are in proximity to thedetermined location of the mobile device 112.

In practice, the current geographic location information is provided byan onboard global positioning system (GPS) component 122, a memory 124,and a processor system (PS) 126 residing within the mobile device 112.Alternatively, or additionally, the geographic location information maybe manually specified by the user or may be provided by another device(not shown). For example, the user of the mobile device 112 may manually(or verbally) specify an address that they are interested in, that theyexpect to be at in the future, or that they have previously been at.

Some media content events can be segmented into portions. For example, anews program may be segmented in to a plurality of serially presentedportions, where each portion has a unique theme or topic. As anotherexample, a travel show may be segmented into a plurality of seriallypresented portions, where each portion relates to a different locationand/or different attraction of interest. As yet another example, movieor serial program may be segmented into a plurality of seriallypresented scenes (portions), where each scene has been filmed at adifferent location and/or relates to a theme. Such segments or portionsof a media content event may be interchangeably referred to herein as amedia content event. Accordingly, media content events that areidentified to the user based on geographic locations may be a segment orportion of a whole media content event. Here, the segment or portions ofsuch media content events include information that identifies variouscharacteristics of that segment or portion such that an association withat least one geographic location can be made. Alternatively, oradditionally, the media content event portion has had predefinedgeographic location information associated with that segment or portion.As used herein, a segment may be interchangeably referred to herein as aportion of a media content event.

In some embodiments, the user geographic playlist 116 may be configuredto permit selection of a particular media content event or a relevantsegment or portion of a media content event that is listed on apresented user geographic playlist 116. For example, the user may be at,or may have recently been at, a particular geographic location that isrelated to a scene in a movie or a segment of a travel program. Accessto the movie, the movie scene, and/or the travel program segment may beof interest to the user. The user may wish to view and/or listen to themedia content event (or portion thereof) using their mobile device 112while at the location, and/or may be interested in later viewing and/orlistening to the media content event (or portion thereof) listed on theuser geographic playlist 116.

Some embodiments may be configured to allow the user to select one ormore of the listed media content events (or portions thereof) shown onthe user geographic playlist 116. In response to a user selection of aparticular media content event (or portion thereof) that is listed(shown) on the user geographic playlist 116, the selected media contentevent (or portion thereof) is accessed from the remote content system110 or other suitable source of content, and is presented to the user.For example, a selected media content event (or portion thereof) may beaccessed from the remote content system 110 via the communication system128 and/or the broadcast system 108. The user may then view and/orlisten to the presented media content event (or portion thereof).

In practice, the user geographic playlist 116 may be presented to theuser as they are moving about or are at a particular location. Forexample, the user may be a tourist in a foreign city. While at aparticular location, the user geographic playlist 116 may indicate aplurality of different geographic-related media content events, such as,but not limited to, movies (or portions thereof), programs (or portionsthereof), news cast segments (or portions thereof), or the like that areassociated with the user's location. The user may wish to select one ormore of the listed media content events (or portions thereof) forimmediate viewing and/or for later viewing, such as when they return totheir hotel.

For example, the user may be interested in visiting film set locationswhere their favorite movie or serial program has been filmed in theforeign city that they are visiting. The user geographic playlist 116may list a plurality of movies or serial programs (or portions thereof)that were filmed at locations that are at, or that are in the generalvicinity of, the geographic location information provided by the user'smobile device 112. The user may select one or more of the listed moviesor serial programs (or portions thereof) for immediate presentation. Theselected content may then be accessed from the remote content system 110or other suitable source of content for immediate presentation on theuser's mobile device 112, and/or for presentation at a later time (suchas when they return to their hotel or return home at the conclusion oftheir vacation).

As another example, the user geographic playlist 116 may indicate nearbylocations that may be of interest to the user, such as restaurants,museums, buildings, shops, vehicles, vessels or the like. The user maythen select a particular media content event (or portion thereof) forimmediate presentation. For instance, the user may be ready for a meal.A particular media content event (or portion thereof) may pertain to anearby restaurant. Accordingly, the user could access the media contentevent (or portion thereof) relating to the nearby restaurant, and obtaininformation that may help the user to decide whether they would like toeat at the restaurant or eat at another restaurant.

To illustrate, a locally produced serial (periodic) program thatpresents one or more video segments (portions) describing localrestaurants may be available from the remote content system 110 that isaccessible via the Internet or other suitable on-demand type system.Based on the geographic location information from the user's mobiledevice 112, a user geographic playlist 116 may be presented that listsmedia content events (or portions thereof), including segments from thelocally produced program, that are in the vicinity of the user'sgeographic location. In response to a user selection made on one or moreof the media content events (or portions thereof) listed on thepresented geographic playlist 116, the one or more selected mediacontent events (or portions thereof) may be immediately accessed fromthe remote content system 110 for immediate presentation to the user.Alternatively, or additionally, one or more selected media contentevents (or portions thereof) could be later presented to the user, suchas when they are at their hotel room and are contemplating whichrestaurant to go to for their evening meal.

As another example, the user may be near a museum or an architecturallysignificant building, such as a church or a government office. The usercould access information prior to going to the museum or architecturallysignificant building to enhance their visiting experience.Alternatively, or additionally, the user could view and/or listen to theselected media content event (or portion thereof) during, before, and/orafter their visit to the museum or the architecturally significantbuilding by selecting one or more media content events listed on apresented user geographic playlist 116.

To illustrate, a history-based channel may have previously presentedmedia content events (or portions thereof) on a variety of historicaltopics. One or more of the media content events (or portions thereof)may be about a historical building and/or may be about historical eventsthat occurred on the premises of the historical building. Thesehistorical-themed media content events (or portions thereof) may beavailable from the remote content system 110 that is accessible via theInternet or other suitable on-demand type system. Based on thegeographic location information from the user's mobile device 112, auser geographic playlist 116 may be presented that lists media contentevents (or portions thereof), including segments from the locallyproduced program, that are in the vicinity of the user's geographiclocation. The user may select one or more of the related historicalmedia content events (or portions thereof) for immediate presentation ontheir mobile device 112, and/or select one or more of the media contentevents (or portions thereof) for later viewing (such as when they returnto their hotel or return home at the conclusion of their vacation). Theselected one or more media content events (or portions thereof) isaccessed from the remote content system 110 or other suitable source ofcontent. In some situations, the selected media content event (orportion thereof) may be scheduled for broadcast at a future date andtime. Accordingly, the selected media content event (or portion thereof)could be scheduled for recording (saving) at their media device 102 forlater viewing.

As another example, the user may be near a vessel, such as a sailingship or a famous war vessel. The user could access information about theship or vessel to enhance their visiting experience. Alternatively, oradditionally, the user could view and/or listen to the selected mediacontent events (or portion thereof) by selecting one or more mediacontent events listed on a presented user geographic playlist 116 at alater time to further enhance their previous visit to the ship orvessel.

As yet another example, the user may be interested in a particularperson of interest, such as a historical figure, an actor, a director, apublisher, a celebrity, a politician, a musician, or the like. When inthe vicinity of a location that is relevant to the person of interest,the user geographic playlist 116 would indicate available media contentevents (or portions thereof) relating to that person of interest. Forexample, many famous and historical people are known to be buried atWestminster Abbey in London. If the user is interested in a particularhistorical person who has been buried there, the user may select one ormore of the media content events (or portions thereof) listed on theuser geographic playlist 116 to learn more about that historical person.

In some embodiments, the geographic location information of a selectedmedia content event (or portion thereof) is communicated to theparticular mobile device 112 that the user is operating. The geographiclocation information associated with the selected media content event(or portion thereof) may be presented to the user on the display 118 oftheir mobile device 112. The presented location information may be usedto provide an address, and/or travel directions, so that the user maymove to a more precise location associated with the selected mediacontent event (or portion thereof).

General operation of providing broadcasted content via the exemplaryenvironment of FIG. 1 is now described in greater detail. An exemplarymedia device 102 includes, but is not limited to, a set top box (STB)that is communicatively coupled to the broadcast system 108. Otherembodiments of the media device 102 include a television (TV), a digitalvideo disc (DVD) player, a digital video disc (DVD) recorder, a gameplaying device, or a personal computer (PC). The media device 102 isconfigured to present and/or store selected media content events thatare received in the media content stream 114.

The media content stream 114 comprises a plurality of streamed mediacontent events. Some media content broadcast facilities 106simultaneously broadcast many media content events, even hundreds ofbroadcast media content events, in the media content stream 114. Themedia device 102, when in operation, is configured by a user to selectone of the plurality of simultaneously broadcast media content eventsfor presentation on a media presentation device 120. Exemplary mediapresentation devices include, but are not limited to, TV's, stereos,radios, surround sound systems, personal computers or the like that maybe communicatively coupled to the media device 102 that is receiving themedia content stream 114. In some embodiments, the media device 102 andthe media presentation device 120may be an integrated single electronicdevice

In the various embodiments, the media device 102 receives the mediacontent stream 114 over the broadcast system 108. In the variousembodiments, the plurality of media content events are broadcast to themedia device 102 over the broadcast system 108. Broadcasting is thecommunication of media content to the media device 102, in an open endedfashion. The media content is broadcast over a dispersed, open endeddestination, audience wherein any particular ones of a plurality ofmedia devices 102 may receive the broadcast media content. The mediadevice 102 is configured by their respective user to receive thebroadcast media content via the broadcast system 108. To receive themedia content, the media devices 102 are “tuned” to receive mediacontent of interest.

An exemplary broadcast system 108 comprises a satellite broadcast system130. One or more of the media content streams 114 reside in a transportchannel 132 that is uplinked to a plurality of satellites 134, via acorresponding transmit antenna 136. The respective transport channelsare then communicated, in the form of a wireless signal 138, from one ormore of the satellites 134 down to a receiver antenna 140 that iscommunicatively coupled to the media device 102. The received wirelesssignal 138 (with the media content stream 114) is then communicated fromthe receiver antenna 140 to the media device 102. The receiver antenna140 and the media device 102 may be configured to receive multiplewireless signals 138 from a plurality of satellites 134. The other mediadevices (not shown) may similarly receive the media content stream 114over the satellite broadcast system 130.

Alternatively, or additionally, the plurality of media content eventsmay be broadcast to the media device 102 via an over the air (OTA)system 142. For example, the media content broadcast facility 106 may bea local program provider that broadcasts media content events to themedia device 102 using a wireless signal 144. The received wirelesssignal 144 with the media content stream 114 is received at the receiverantenna 140, or may be received directly by a receiver (not shown)residing in the media device 102. The mobile devices 112 may similarlyreceive the media content stream 114 via OTA system 142.

Alternatively, or additionally, the plurality of media content eventsmay broadcast to the media device 102 via a cable system 146. Forexample, the media content broadcast facility 106 may employ a coaxialcable and/or fiber optic cable 148 that is coupled to the media device102. The media content stream 114 is received directly by the mediadevice 102.

In some situations, one or more of the media content events (or portionsthereof) listed on a presented geographic playlist 116 may be scheduledfor broadcast at a future date and time. Accordingly, the selected mediacontent event (or portion thereof) could be scheduled for recording(saving) at their media device 102 for later viewing. When the selectedmedia content event (or portion thereof) is actually broadcast over thebroadcast system 108, the media device 102 associated with the user mayrecord (store) the broadcasted media content event (or portion thereof).

The media device 102, the geographic location playlist device 104, themedia content broadcast facility 106, the broadcast system 108, theoptional remote content system 110, and/or the plurality of mobiledevices 112 may be configured to communicatively couple to each othervia the communication system 128. Accordingly, geographic locationinformation, geographic playlists 116, and or selected media contentevents (or portions thereof) may be communicated between devices via thecommunication system 128.

The communication system 128 is illustrated as a generic communicationsystem. In one embodiment, the communication system 128 comprises theInternet. Alternatively, the communication system 128 may be a telephonysystem, a radio frequency (RF) wireless system, a microwavecommunication system, a fiber optics system, an intranet system, a localaccess network (LAN) system, an Ethernet system, a cable system, a radiofrequency system, a cellular system, an infrared system, a satellitesystem, or a hybrid system comprised of multiple types of communicationmedia. Additionally, embodiments of the geographic location playlistgeneration system 100 may be implemented on other types of communicationtechnologies, such as but not limited to, digital subscriber loop (DSL),X.25, Internet Protocol (IP), Ethernet, Integrated Services DigitalNetwork (ISDN) and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM). Also, embodimentsof the geographic location playlist generation system 100 may beemployed on combination systems having a plurality of segments whichemploy different formats for each segment employing differenttechnologies on each segment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an example geographiclocation playlist device 104. The geographic location playlist device104 comprises a processor system 202, a communication network interface204, and a memory 206. The memory 206 comprises portions for storing thesystem management logic 208, geographic playlist processing logic 210,browser 212, electronic program guide (EPG) information 214, usergeographic playlist (geo-playlist) information 216, and geographicplaylist (geo-playlist) information 218. The processor system 202,executing the system management logic 208, manages various operationactivities of the geographic location playlist device 104. An examplefunction of the system management logic 208 is to establish connectionsto mobile devices 112 that are providing geographic locationinformation.

In some embodiments, the system management logic 208, the geographicplaylist processing logic 210, and/or the browser 212 may be integratedtogether, and/or may be integrated with other logic. In someembodiments, the electronic program guide (EPG) information 214, theuser geographic playlist information 216, and/or the geographic playlistinformation 218 may be integrated together, may be integrated with otherdata, and/or may reside in separate memory mediums. In some embodiments,some or all of these memory and other data manipulation functions may beprovided by and using remote server or other electronic devices suitablyconnected via the Internet or otherwise to a client device. Othergeographic location playlist devices 104 may include some, or may omitsome, of the above-described components. Further, additional componentsnot described herein may be included in alternative embodiments.

In an example environment, the geographic location playlist device 104is a server-based device that is configured to electronically receiveinformation and provide information to the media device 102 and/or themobile devices 112 via the communication system 128. Accordingly, thecommunication network interface 204 is configured to provide concurrentconnectivity to a plurality of media devices 102 and/or mobile devices112.

In some embodiments, the EPG information 214 is included in and/orresides in the memory 206 of the geographic location playlist device104. The EPG information 214 may have, but is not limited to,information about media content events that are scheduled forbroadcasting to the media devices 102 via the broadcast system 108. TheEPG information 214 includes the title, along with the scheduled timeand date of the presentation of the broadcasted media content event. Abrief description of the broadcasted media content event may also beprovided in the EPG information 214. The EPG information 214 also mayindicate the “channel” of the available broadcasted media content event.The channel identifies the originating source of the program, such as atelevision studio, a premium movie provider, a national programprovider, etc. The EPG information 214 is periodically updated by thecontent provider. In some embodiments, the EPG information 214 stored atthe geographic location playlist device 104 is the same, or issubstantially the same, as EPG information that is provided to the mediadevice 102.

In an example embodiment, the geographic playlist information 218 isconfigured as a database structure. The database comprises a list thatidentifies media content events (or portions thereof) and at least oneassociated geographic location. Multiple geographic locations may beassociated with any particular media content event (or portion thereof).Other information, such as and identifier and/or a title of each mediacontent event (or portion thereof), a comment about the media contentevent (or portion thereof), a specification of a category associatedwith the media content event (or portion thereof), a location of wherethe media content event (or portion thereof) can be accessed, and otherinformation of interest may be included as part of the geographicplaylist information 218.

The user geographic playlist information 216 comprises portions forstoring information that may be used to define the generated usergeographic playlists 116 that are presentable to a user. For example,geographic location playlist information for defining a first geographicplaylist 116 for a first user is denoted as user 1 geographic playlist(GP) 220. Other geographic location playlist information for defining auser geographic playlist 116 for a second user is denoted as user 2geographic playlist (GP) 222. Since many different users may beproviding geographic location information to the geographic locationplaylist device 104, the user geographic playlist information 216includes geographic location playlist information defining a usergeographic playlist 116 for an ith user of a plurality of users, denotedas user i geographic playlist (GP) 224.

For example, the geographic location playlist device 104 may receivegeographic location information from the smart phone 112 b thatindicates a current, previous, and/or anticipated location of a firstuser via the communication system 128. Then, user geographic playlistinformation is generated based on the received geographic locationinformation and one or more media content events (or portions thereof)that are associated with the received geographic location information.The generated user geographic playlist information for the first usermay then be optionally stored into the “USER 1” geographic playlist 220portion of memory 206. Alternatively, or additionally, the usergeographic playlist information is communicated, via the communicationsystem 128, to the media device 102 and/or the mobile devices 112. Insuch embodiments, the received user geographic playlist information isused to generate and present the current geographic playlist 116.

Similarly, geographic location information from a mobile device 112associated with a second user may be received. This geographic locationinformation indicates a current, previous, and/or anticipated locationof a second user. Then, the user geographic playlist information isgenerated based on the received geographic location information and oneor more media content events (or portions thereof) that are associatedwith the received geographic location information associated with thesecond user. The generated user geographic playlist information for thesecond user may then be optionally stored into the user 2 geographicplaylist 222 portion of memory 206, and alternatively or additionally,may be communicated to a media device 102 and/or a mobile device 112being used by the second user.

In the example embodiment of FIG. 2, the geographic location playlistdevice 104 is configured to generate user geographic playlistinformation for many users. Thus, the user geographic playlistinformation 216 provides for storing geographic location playlistinformation for a plurality of different users (as conceptuallyindicated by the user i geographic playlist 224).

In an example embodiment, a user subscribes to a service to receivegenerated playlists based on geographic location information provided bytheir mobile device 112. The service may be a free service or may be apaid-for service.

In some embodiments, the geographic location playlist device 104continuously, or at least periodically on an ongoing basis, receivesgeographic location information from a subscribing user's mobile device112. In such embodiments, the user's mobile device 112 continuously, orat least periodically on an ongoing basis, communicates (pushes) thegeographic location information to the geographic location playlistdevice 104. Alternatively, or additionally, the geographic locationinformation may be communicated from the user's mobile device 112 inresponse to a user initiated command or instruction. As the user movesabout, the received geographic location information indicates a changein the user's location. Accordingly, updated or replacement geographiclocation playlist information is generated by the geographic locationplaylist device 104 based on the changes in the user's location (thatis, a location change that exceeds a predefined threshold distance). Theupdated or replacement geographic location playlist information may thenbe saved into the user geographic playlist information 216 portion ofmemory 206 after determining a location change exceeding thepredetermined threshold distance. The threshold distance may bepredefined by an operator of the geographic location playlist device 104and/or the user. The threshold distance may vary based on currentlocation. For example, a first threshold distance may be used when theuser is in a city, a shorter threshold distance may be used when theuser is at a museum or shopping center, and a longer threshold distancemay be used when the user is in the countryside or traveling betweencities or the like. In some embodiments, the threshold distance may beadjusted based on a rate of travel of the user. For example, a firstthreshold distance may be used when the user is travelling in theirautomobile, a shorter threshold distance may be used when the user iswalking, and a longer threshold distance may be used when the user isflying between different locations.

In an alternative embodiment, received geographic location informationis stored by the geographic location playlist device 104. In response toreceiving a request for geographic location playlist informationinitiated by the user, the geographic location playlist device 104 thengenerates the geographic location playlist information. In suchembodiments, the geographic location playlist device 104 determines andgenerates geographic location playlist information only for requestingusers, thereby reducing computational loading on the geographic locationplaylist device 104. That is, there may be many users who are movingabout, but only a limited number of users who wish to receive updated orreplacement geographic location playlist information.

Further, the locations for which updated or replacement geographiclocation playlist information may be limited based on a predefinedduration (such as one hour, a day, a week, or a portion thereof).Alternatively, or additionally, the locations for which updated orreplacement geographic location playlist information may be limitedbased on a predefined distance from the current location of the user(such as within 10 kilometers of the present location of the user),and/or based on a predefined distance of movement of the user (such as a10 mile trip being travelled by the user).

The predefined duration and/or distance may be specified by the providerthat manages operation of the geographic location playlist device 104.Alternatively, or additionally, the predefined duration and/or distancemay be specified by the user. For example, the user may be interested inreceiving geographic location playlist information for their travelsduring a particular day and/or their travels about some geographicregion of interest. For example, user account information may providefor the user to pre-specify the predefined duration and/or distance forwhich geographic location playlist information will be determined. Theuser account information may be updated or changed at the discretion ofthe user. To illustrate, the user may specify a relatively shortpredefined duration and/or distance while in their home city, and thenchange the predefined duration and/or distance before they begin theirvacation to a foreign city. In other embodiments, the specification ofthe predefined duration and/or distance may be included as part of auser request to receive updated or replacement geographic locationplaylist information.

In the various embodiments, the updated or replacement geographiclocation playlist information may be automatically communicated (pushed)to the user's mobile device 112 on a periodic basis so that a currentand fresh geographic playlist 116 is readily available at the mobiledevice 112. In an example embodiment, the user may then view the usergeographic playlist 116 at their convenience by requesting presentationof the user geographic playlist 116 that has been pushed to their mobiledevice 112.

In an example embodiment, the updated or replacement geographic locationplaylist information may be automatically communicated to the mobiledevice 112 based upon a change in the user's location by some predefineddistance. Alternatively, or additionally, the updated or replacementgeographic location playlist information may be automaticallycommunicated to the mobile device 112 periodically based upon somepredefined duration of time. To illustrate, an example embodiment maypush the updated or replacement geographic location playlist informationto the user's mobile device 112 after the user's location has changed byone kilometer (the predefined distance) and/or after expiration of a onehour period (the predefined duration) since the last previouscommunication of the updated or replacement geographic location playlistinformation to the user's mobile device 112.

Alternatively, or additionally, some embodiments will communicateupdated or replacement geographic location playlist information inresponse to receiving a request from the user. The user initiates therequest using their mobile device 112 and/or their media device 102. Arequest message or the like is sent from the mobile device 112 and/orthe media device to the geographic location playlist device 104. Inresponse, the geographic location playlist device 104 communicates theupdated or replacement geographic location playlist information to therequesting mobile device 112 or media device 102. Alternatively, oradditionally, the geographic location playlist device 104 communicatesthe updated or replacement geographic location playlist information toall mobile devices 112 and/or media devices 102 associated with thatparticular user in response to receiving the user request.

In some embodiments, the user request may include one or more parametersfrom which the geographic location playlist information is determined.For example, the user request may specify a particular location, such asa planned destination such as a city, a museum, a shopping center, ahistorical attraction, or other well known location. Alternatively, oradditionally, the user request may include specification of categories,topics, or the like of interest to the user. In response to a userrequest, embodiments will communicate updated or replacement geographiclocation playlist information to the mobile device 112 based on theuser's request.

Operation of an example embodiment of the geographic location playlistgeneration system 100 is now generally described. The processor system202, executing the geographic playlist processing logic 210, determinesa location of a particular mobile device 112 based on the receivedgeographic location information. Then, the determined location of themobile device 112 is compared with the locations of the plurality ofmedia content event (or portions thereof) stored in the geographicplaylist information 218. When a match in a location associated with amedia content event (or portion thereof) is found with the determinedlocation of the mobile device 112, information identifying theassociated media content event (or portion thereof) is used to generatethe user geographic playlist information for that particular user. Forexample, the identifier of the media content event (or portion thereof)and a comment describing the relevance to the determined location may beretrieved from the geographic playlist information 218. The retrievedidentifier and comment are added into the geographic location playlistinformation associated with that particular user. The geographiclocation playlist information may be added into the user geographicplaylist information 216 portion associated with that particular userand/or may be communicated to one or more of the media devices and/orthe mobile devices 112 associated with that particular user.

In some embodiments, a match between the determined location of a mobiledevice 112 and a location of a media content event (or portion thereof)may be determined if the respective locations are within some predefineddistance threshold of each other. A match may be determined when themobile device 112 location and the media content event location arewithin a predefined threshold distance of each other. For example, ifthe mobile device 112 and the location of a media content event (orportion thereof) are within one kilometer of each other, then thegeographic location playlist generation system 100 may determine anoccurrence of a match, and then add the identifier of the media contentevent (or portion thereof) and the associated comment retrieved from thegeographic playlist information 218 into the user geographic playlistinformation 216 portion associated with that particular user.

The predefined threshold distance may be specified by the provider thatmanages operation of the geographic location playlist device 104.Alternatively, or additionally, the predefined threshold distance may bespecified by the user.

Threshold distances may be variable based on various conditions (speedof movement or travel, particular location characteristics, etc.). Thepredefined distance threshold may be a variable value that is definedbased upon the particular interest of the user. For example, if the useris interested in a category pertaining to food, the predefined distancethreshold may be a relatively short distance. Thus, the listed mediacontent event (or portion thereof) may pertain to restaurants that theuser could readily walk to. In another situation, for that user or adifferent user, the predefined distance threshold may be relativelylarger if the category pertained to a person, such as a historicalfigure. Thus, the listed media content event (or portion thereof) couldbe a historical site that the user could travel to by car, bus or taxi.Accordingly, the predefined distances may be defined based on acharacteristic that is associated with a category that is user specifiedor that is associated with a type of media content event (or portionthereof).

In the various embodiments, a presented geographic playlist 116 isconfigured to permit the user to select one of the media content events(or portions thereof) for presentation on their mobile device 112.Accordingly, embodiments of the geographic location playlist device 104may execute the browser 212 to identify a source of the selected mediacontent event (or portion thereof). For example, the selected mediacontent event (or portion thereof) may be available from the remotecontent system 110. Accordingly, information for establishing a linkbetween the user's mobile device 112 and the remote content system 110,and information for accessing the selected media content event (orportion thereof), may be communicated to the user's mobile device 112.In response to receiving the information, the user's mobile device couldthen access the selected media content event (or portion thereof), andinitiate presentation of the media content event (or portion thereof) onthe display 118 of the mobile device 112.

Alternatively, or additionally, embodiments of the geographic locationplaylist device 104 may search the EPG information 214 for the selectedmedia content event (or portion thereof). If the selected media contentevent (or portion thereof) is found in the EPG information 214,recording information (information specifying the storing of the mediacontent event or portion thereof based on the scheduled channel, dateand time of broadcast) may be communicated to the media device 102. Inresponse, the media device 102 may record the specified media contentevent (or portion thereof) so that the user may later view the storedmedia content event (or portion thereof). In some embodiments, therecording information is communicated to the user's mobile device 112.The user may then opt to record (save) that particular media contentevent (or portion thereof). A confirmation to record may then becommunicated back to the geographic location playlist device 104(wherein the recording information is then communicated from thegeographic location playlist device 104 to the media device 102).Alternatively, or additionally, the recording information may be sentfrom the user's mobile device 112 to the media device 102 so that arecording of the selected media content event (or portion thereof) isscheduled by the media device 102.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the geographic location playlist generationsystem 100 implemented in an example media device 102, such as, but notlimited to, a set top box (STB). Embodiments of the geographic locationplaylist generation system 100 may be implemented in other mediadevices, such as, but not limited to, stereos, surround-sound receivers,radios, televisions (TVs), digital video disc (DVD) players, digitalvideo recorders (DVRs), cellular phones equipped with videofunctionality, personal device assistants (PDAs), game playing devices,or personal computers (PCs) that are configured to present a video-basedmedia content event that is received in a media content stream 114.

The exemplary media device 102 is communicatively coupled to a mediapresentation system 300 that includes a visual display device, such as atelevision 120 (hereafter, generically a TV), and an audio presentationdevice 302, such as a surround sound receiver controlling an audioreproduction device (hereafter, generically, a speaker). Other types ofoutput devices may also be coupled to the media device 102, includingthose providing any sort of stimuli sensible by a human being, such astemperature, vibration and the like. The video portion of the mediacontent event is displayed on the display 118 and the audio portion ofthe media content event is reproduced as sounds by one or more speakers304. In some embodiments, the media device 102 and one or more of thecomponents of the media presentation system 300 may be integrated into asingle electronic device.

The non-limiting exemplary media device 102 comprises a media contentstream interface 306, a processor system 308, a memory 310, a programbuffer 312, an optional digital video recorder (DVR) 314, a presentationdevice interface 316, a remote interface 318, and a communicationnetwork interface 320. The memory 310 comprises portions for storing themedia device logic 322, the geographic playlist processing logic 210,the browser 212, the electronic program guide (EPG) information 214, theuser geographic playlists (geo-playlists) 216, and the geographicplaylist (geo-playlist) information 218. In some embodiments, the mediadevice logic 322, the geographic playlist processing logic 210, and/orthe browser 212 may be integrated together, and/or may be integratedwith other logic. In some embodiments, the electronic program guide(EPG) information 214, the user geographic playlist information 216,and/or the geographic playlist information 218 may be integratedtogether, may be integrated with other data, and/or may reside inseparate memory mediums. In other embodiments, some or all of thesememory and other data manipulation functions may be provided by andusing remote server or other electronic devices suitably connected viathe Internet or otherwise to a client device. Other media devices mayinclude some, or may omit some, of the above-described media processingcomponents. Further, additional components not described herein may beincluded in alternative embodiments.

The functionality of the media device 102, here a set top box, is nowbroadly described. A media content provider provides a plurality ofmedia content events (interchangeably referred to herein as mediacontent) that is received in one or more multiple media content streams114 multiplexed together in one or more transport channels. Thetransport channels with the media content streams 114 are communicatedto the media device 102 from a media system sourced from the mediacontent broadcast facility (FIG. 1) operated by the media contentprovider. Non-limiting examples of such media systems include thesatellite broadcast system 130, the over the air system 142, the cablesystem 146, and the Internet (communicatively coupled to the mediadevice 102 via the communication system 128). For example, if the mediacontent provider provides programming via a satellite-basedcommunication system, the media device 102 is configured to receive oneor more broadcasted satellite signals detected by the antenna 140 (FIG.1). Alternatively, or additionally, the media content stream 114 can bereceived from one or more different sources, such as, but not limitedto, a cable system, a radio frequency (RF) communication system, or theInternet.

The one or more media content streams 114 are received by the mediacontent stream interface 306. One or more tuners 306a in the mediacontent stream interface 306 selectively tune to one of the mediacontent streams 114 in accordance with instructions received from theprocessor system 308. The processor system 308, executing the mediadevice logic 322 and based upon a request for a media content event ofinterest specified by a user, parses out media content associated withthe media content event of interest. The media content event of interestis then assembled into a stream of video and/or audio information whichmay be stored by the program buffer 312 such that the media content canbe streamed out to components of the media presentation system 300, suchas the visual display device (such as the example television 120) and/orthe audio presentation device 302, via the presentation device interface316. Alternatively, or additionally, the parsed out media content may besaved into the DVR 314 for later presentation. The DVR 314 may bedirectly provided in, locally connected to, or remotely connected to,the media device 102. In alternative embodiments, the media contentstreams 114 may stored for later decompression, processing and/ordecryption.

From time to time, information populating the EPG information 214portion of the memory 310 is communicated to the media device 102, viathe media content stream 114 or via another suitable media. The EPGinformation 214 stores the information pertaining to the scheduledprogramming. The information may include, but is not limited to, ascheduled presentation start and/or end time, a program channel, and/ordescriptive information. The program's descriptive information mayinclude the identifier of the program, names of performers, directors oractors; date of creation; and/or a summary describing the nature of theprogram. Any suitable information may be included in the program'ssupplemental information. Upon receipt of a command from the userrequesting presentation of an EPG display, the information in the EPGinformation 214 is retrieved, formatted, and then presented on thedisplay 118 as an EPG.

The exemplary media device 102 is configured to receive commands from auser via a remote control 324. The remote control 324 includes one ormore controllers 326. The user, by actuating one or more of thecontrollers 326, causes the remote control 324 to generate and transmitcommands, via a wireless signal 328, to the media device 102. Thecommands control the media device 102 and/or control components of themedia presentation system 300. The wireless signal 328 may be aninfrared (IR) signal or a radio frequency (RF) signal that is detectableby the remote interface 318. For example, but not limited to, thecommands may control presentation of information shown on a presentedgeographic playlist 116.

The processes performed by the media device 102 relating to theprocessing of the received media content stream 114 and communication ofa presentable media content event to the components of the mediapresentation system 300 are generally implemented by the processorsystem 308 while executing the media device logic 322. Thus, the mediadevice 102 may perform a variety of functions related to the processingand presentation of one or more media content events received in themedia content stream 114.

In a first example embodiment of the media device 102, the processorsystem 308, executing the geographic playlist processing logic 210,receives geographic location playlist information from the geographiclocation playlist device 104. Then, the received user geographiclocation playlist information is used to generate a user geographicplaylist 116 that is presented on the display 118 For example, theidentifier of the media content event (or portion thereof) and a commentdescribing the relevance to the determined location may be presented tothe user. Alternatively, or additionally, the received geographiclocation playlist information is stored in the user geographic playlistinformation 216 portion of memory 310 so that the user geographicplaylist 116 may be generated and presented at a later time.

From time to time, updated or replacement geographic location playlistinformation is received from the geographic location playlist device104. Accordingly, the geographic playlist processing logic 210 canupdate the geographic location playlist information in the usergeographic playlist information 216. For example, new entries may beadded for one or more media content events (or portions thereof) as theuser moves to a new location.

Alternatively, or additionally, stale entries in the user geographicplaylist information 216 may be deleted, erased or otherwise discardedas the location of those stale entries are no longer relevant to theuser. For example, stale entries may be defined based on a duration oftime, such as twenty four hours. Thus, if the user is travelling in afirst city and then moves to a next city during their vacation, thestale entries pertaining to the locations of the first city may beoptionally deleted. Alternatively, or additionally, stale locations maybe defined based on some predefined distance threshold. The predefinedduration and/or distance may be specified by the provider that managesoperation of the geographic location playlist device 104. Alternatively,or additionally, the predefined duration and/or distance may bespecified by the user. For example, if the first city and the secondcity above are one hundred miles apart, a distance threshold of fiftymiles may be used to delete stale entries associated with the first cityas the user travels to the second city. In such embodiments, the entriesin the user geographic playlist 116 are maintained in a current state soas to remain relevant to the user's current locations (as determined bytheir mobile device 112).

In a second embodiment of the media device 102, the geographic locationinformation is communicated from the mobile devices 112 to the mediadevice 102. The location information may then be communicated from themedia device 102 to the geographic location playlist device 104 so thatthe geographic location playlist information can be determined at thegeographic location playlist device 104. Then, the geographic locationplaylist information may be communicated from the geographic locationplaylist device 104 to the media device 102.

For example, the geographic location playlist device 104 may becommunicatively coupled to the media device 102 via a cable system thatis also providing the media content stream 114. Thus, a proprietarygeographic location playlist device 104 may be managed and maintained bythe service provider in a more secure, reliable, and cost efficientmanner. In such embodiments, the communication network interface 204 inthe geographic location playlist device 104 may be omitted to reducecomponent costs and to avoid service access charges assessed by ownersof the communication system 128.

In a third embodiment of the media device 102, the media device 102receives geographic location information from the mobile devices 112.The processor system 308, executing the geographic playlist processinglogic 210, determines a location of a particular mobile device 112 basedon the received geographic location information. Then, the determinedlocation is compared with locations residing in the geographic playlistinformation 218. When a match in a location associated with a mediacontent event (or portion thereof) is found with the determined locationof the mobile device 112, information identifying the associated mediacontent event (or portion thereof) may be used to generate thegeographic location playlist information for that particular user. Forexample, the identifier of the media content event (or portion thereof)and a comment describing the relevance to the determined location may beretrieved from the geographic playlist information 218 residing inmemory 310, and may be added into the user geographic playlistinformation 216 portion associated with that particular user.

In the example third embodiment, updates to and/or replacement of thegeographic playlist information 218 is received from time to time at themedia device 102 from an external source, such as, but not limited to,the geographic location playlist device 104. Alternatively, oradditionally, updates to the geographic playlist information 218 may beobtained by using the browser 212. Updates to and/or replacement of thegeographic playlist information 218 may be received from any suitableremote source.

Alternatively, or additionally, the geographic playlist information 218may be generated from, or at least in part from, the EPG information214. For example, a travel show may indicate locations of featuredattractions in the metadata in the received media content event. Asanother example, the metadata may identify a restaurant by its name andgeneral location, such as the city where the restaurant is located. Thebrowser 212 could then be used to obtain a more accurate location forthe featured attraction or restaurant for inclusion in the geographicplaylist information 218 that is generated from the EPG information.

FIG. 4 conceptually illustrates an example format of a database 400 usedfor an exemplary geographic playlist information 218. The exampledatabase 400 comprises a listing of unique identifiers, such as thetitles 402, of a plurality of media content events (or portionsthereof). For example, the identifier “CONTENT TITLE 1” is appreciatedto correspond to the title of a first media content event (or portionthereof) that is listed in the database 400. The identifiers “CONTENTTITLE 2” though “CONTENT TITLE i” indicate other ones of the pluralityof media content events (or portions thereof) populating the database400. Any suitable unique identifier that uniquely identifies each one ofthe plurality of media content events may be used in the variousembodiments.

Associated with each identifier of a particular media content event (orportion thereof) is at least one geographic location 404. For example,the “GEO-LOC 1A” is a geographic location that is associated with thefirst listed media content event (or portion thereof) that has beenidentified by its respective “CONTENT TITLE 1” entry.

Any particular listed media content event (or portion thereof) may havea plurality of associated geographic locations. For example, the secondlisted media content event (or portion thereof) that has been identifiedby its respective “CONTENT TITLE 2” entry may be a movie that has scenesthat were filed at a plurality of different locations. Accordingly, thegeographic locations “GEO-LOC 2A” through “GEO-LOC 2 n” are theplurality of different geographic locations that have been associatedwith the second listed media content event (or portion thereof).

When embodiments of the geographic location playlist generation system100 receive geographic location information from a mobile device 112,the geographic location of the mobile device 112 (and therefore,presumably the location of the user) is determined. This determinedgeographic location of the mobile device 112 is then compared with thelisted geographic locations in the geographic locations 404 portion ofthe database 400. In the event that a match between the determinedgeographic location of the mobile device 112 and one of the listedgeographic locations in the geographic locations 404, the associatedidentifier of the media content event (or portion thereof) may be addedto the geographic location playlist information that is used to generatea user geographic playlist 116.

For example, if the determined geographic location of the mobile device112 matches (at least within some predefined distance threshold) withthe geographic location “GEO-LOC 3B” in the geographic locations 404,then the media content event (or portion thereof) identified by the name“CONTENT TITLE 3” may be added to the geographic location playlistinformation that is used to generate a user geographic playlist 116.Further, if the determined geographic location of the mobile device 112matches (at least within some predefined distance threshold) with thegeographic location “GEO-LOC 1A” in the database 400, then the mediacontent event (or portion thereof) identified by the name “CONTENT TITLE1” may also be added to the geographic location playlist information.

Comments may be optionally included in the comments portion 406 of thedatabase 400. Comments are a brief textual description explaining somecharacteristic about the associated media content event (or portionthereof) and/or an explanation of the geographic location significanceor relationship of the associated media content event (or portionthereof). For example, the comment “COM 1A” associated with the firstmedia content event (or portion thereof) listed as “CONTENT TITLE 1” mayindicate a geographic location where a scene of the media content event(or portion thereof) was filmed.

Further, comments may be associated with geographic locations. Forexample, the comment “COM 1A” may be associated with the geographiclocation “GEO-LOC 1A” in the comments 406 portion. Thus, when thecomment (“COM 1A”) is included as part of the presented geographicplaylist 116, the user will better appreciate the relevance of thelisted media content event (or portion thereof) to their currentlocation (that was provided by their mobile device 112).

Similarly, the comment “COM 1B” may be associated with the geographiclocation “GEO-LOC 1B” in the database 400. Accordingly, if the currentgeographic location information from the mobile device 112 correspondsto the second location (“GEO-LOC 1B), the comment (”COM 1B″) is thenincluded as part of the presented geographic playlist 116. Furthermore,it is appreciated that the comment “COM 1A” would not be included sincethe current location of the mobile device 112 does not match theassociated “GEO-LOC 1A” in the geographic locations 404. Other commentsassociated with different geographic locations would also be omittedfrom the presented geographic playlist 116. Accordingly, the user willbetter appreciate the relevance of the listed media content event (orportion thereof) to their current location.

In practice, the number of media content events (or portions thereof)may be very large, numbering into the thousands or even hundreds ofthousands of media content events (or portions thereof). To facilitatean efficient and effective searching process where the listed geographiclocations in the database 400 are compared with a determined geographiclocation of the mobile device 112, one or more categories may beoptionally associated with each particular media content event (orportion thereof). Categories are identified using a suitable categoryidentifier, which is a string of alpha numeric characters. Accordingly,the category identifiers (interchangeably referred to herein as categorynames) are intuitively understood by the user to identify the categoryassociated with a particular media content event (or portion thereof).

One example type of category is a theme type category defined herein ascategory that is based on, and thus is named for, a theme-basedcharacteristic of a media content event (or portion thereof). Anothernon-limiting example is a content type category, which is defined hereinas category that is based on a type of the media content event (orportion thereof). Another non-limiting type of category is the objecttype category defined herein as category that is based on, and thus isnamed for, an object that is associated with a media content event (orportion thereof).

A variety of categories may be used by the various embodiments. Forexample, content type categories for media content events may include,but are not limited to, movies, serial programs, sporting events, travelprograms, cooking programs, animation programs, historical programs,news broadcasts, and even advertisements, commercials or the like.Object type categories may include, but are not limited to, names ofindividual objects or people (actors, directors, publishers,celebrities, politicians, singers, musicians, athletes, historicalfigures, etc.). Theme type categories for media content events mayinclude generalized classes of physical objects (museums, politicaloffices, businesses, architecturally or historically significantbuildings, automobiles, aircraft, ships, natural scenery such asmountains or canyons, etc.). Object type categories for media contentevents may include, but are not limited to, names of individual objects(such as the unique names of a museum, a political office, a businesses,an architecturally or historically significant building, an automobile,an aircraft, a ship, a natural scenery object such as a mountain orcanyon, etc.) or people (names of actors, directors, publishers,celebrities, politicians, singers, musicians, athletes, historicalfigures, etc.). Any suitable category of interest for media contentevents may be defined for the various embodiments of the geographiclocation playlist generation system 100.

In practice, the user may specify one or more predefined categoryidentifiers of interest that are stored in the categories 408 portion ofthe database 400. A selected category identifier (or multiple selectedcategory identifiers) will then be used to search the database 400. Whena search of the database 400 is conducted, the comparison of thedetermined geographic location of the mobile device 112 with geographiclocation information stored in the database 400 is searched only forthose media content events (or portions thereof) that have beenassociated the specified category identifiers.

Any particular listed media content event (or portion thereof) in thedatabase 400 may have one or more associated categories which are storedin the categories 408 portion of the database 400. For example, category“CAT 1A” is associated with the first listed media content event (orportion thereof). The category “CAT 2A” and category “CAT 2B” areassociated with the second listed media content event (or portionthereof). Thus, if the category “CAT 1A” is specified, the geographiclocations associated with the first media content event (or portionthereof) identified as “CONTENT TITLE 1” is searched. If the category“CAT 1A” and the category “CAT 2B” are the same, for example, then thegeographic locations associated with the first and the second mediacontent events (or portions thereof) are searched.

Information specifying the categories may be communicated from theuser's mobile device 112 concurrently with, or separately from, thecommunication of the geographic location information. To illustrate, theuser may be on vacation in a foreign city and may be interested in aparticular musician. The user may specify an object type category of“musicians” (or even specify the musician's name). When a search of thedatabase 400 is conducted, the comparison of the determined geographiclocation of the mobile device 112 with geographic location informationstored in the database 400 is searched only for those media contentevents (or portions thereof) that have been associated the musicianscategory (or that have been associated with the musician's name). Thus,other media content events (or portions thereof) that are not associatedwith the musicians category, such as media content events (or portionsthereof) that have been associated with restaurants or history, will notbe searched.

Alternatively, or additionally, categories may be automatically selectedfor searching the database 400 based on information that is derived fromthe determined geographic location of the mobile device 112. In suchembodiments, geographic locations are associated with one or moreparticular categories. When the geographic location of the mobile device112 is determined, that determined geographic location may be then usedto identify particular categories that have been associated with thatparticular location.

For example, the determined geographic location of the mobile device 112may indicate that the user is currently in a shopping mall. Thus, anembodiment may automatically select categories such as shops,restaurants, and/or other places of interest that typically areassociated with a shopping mall. As another non-limiting example, whenthe user's mobile device 112 is in proximity to a museum, the embodimentmay automatically select categories that are associated with historicalbuildings, art objects, historical figures, and/or historical eventsthat may be topics associated with museums.

As another example, the determined geographic location of the mobiledevice 112 may tend to indicate that the user is currently located in aregion known for growing grapes that are used in making wine.Accordingly, a location associated with wine making and/or vineyards maybe automatically selected by the geographic location playlist generationsystem 100. Accordingly, a user geographic playlist 116 listing mediacontent events (or portions thereof) pertaining to wine making and/orvineyards may be presented to the user. Further, the user mayadditionally specify a category to further filter searching. Forexample, the user may specify “movies” as a category such that moviesassociated with wine making and/or vineyards is the region of thedetermined geographic location of the mobile device 112 are identified.As another example, the user may specify “restaurants” as a categorysuch that the search returns media content events (or portions thereof)pertaining to restaurants that are in the vicinity of the wine makingand/or vineyards region.

In some embodiments, information identifying a location where a listedmedia content event (or portion thereof) may be accessed is included inthe content location 410 portion of the database 400. For example, ifthe first media content event (or portion thereof) is available from theremote content system 110, connectivity and/or access information isstored in the associated content location 410. Accordingly, if the userselects the first media content event (or portion thereof) forpresentation on their mobile device 112 or for presentation or recordingat their media device 102, the connectivity and/or access information isused for accessing this first media content event (or portion thereof).In this situation, information to establish a link to the remote contentsystem 110 is provided to the mobile device 112 so that the remotecontent system 110 is accessed. Further, information identifying themedia content event (or portion thereof) is provided so that the remotecontent system 110 can access and then communicate that particularspecified media content event (or portion thereof) to the mobile device112 (or the media device 102).

Alternatively, or additionally, the media content event (or portionthereof) may be scheduled for broadcast at a future time. The channel,date and time of the future broadcast can be determined from the EPGinformation 214. Accordingly, the channel, date and time of the futurebroadcast of the media content event (or portion thereof) may be savedinto the content location 410 portion of the database 400. Thisinformation, when presented to the user, may inform the user of theoption of later viewing the identified media content event (or portionthereof) and/or the option of having their media device record theidentified media content event (or portion thereof).

In many situations, the entirety of a particular media content event isstored in a single location, such as at the remote content system 110.In such situations where a particular media content event is segmentedinto a plurality of portions, information identifying the location ofeach portion within the media content event is stored in the contentlocation 410 portion of the database 400. Accordingly, when a userselects a portion of a media content event for presentation, embodimentscan communicate the location information of the portion of interest sothat only that portion is presented or recorded.

In an example embodiment, the start and the end of a particular portionof a media content event is identified and saved into the contentlocation 410 portion of the database 400. The start and end of theportion may be identified my a time stamp or the like. Alternatively, oradditionally, the start and end of the portion may be identified by atime stamp of the start and a specified duration or the portion. Othersuitable references in the media content event, such as tags, metadatainformation, frame identifiers, or the like may be used to identify thestart and end of a portion of a media content event.

In an example embodiment, the source of the selected media contentevent, such as the remote content system 110, is configured to providethe requested portion of the media content event. The requested portionof the media content event may then be communicated to the user's mobiledevice 112 and/or to the media device 102 for presentation and/orrecording. In another embodiment, the entirety of the media contentevent is communicated, and is then later segmented into the portion ofinterest. For example, if the user specifies that the media device 102is to record the portion of interest, the entirety of the media contentevent may communicated and/or is broadcast to the media device 102 suchthat the portion of interest is recorded when received at the mediadevice 102.

In some situations, the predefined threshold distances used for matchingthe determined geographic location of the mobile device 112 with thegeographic locations stored in the geographic locations 404 portion ofthe database 400 may be different. For example, the predefined distancesmay be defined based on a specified category. For instance, if the“restaurants” category is specified, the predefined threshold distancemay be relatively short, such as a few hundred yards or a kilometer.Thus, the user could easily walk to or drive to a restaurant that isidentified in a media content event (or portion thereof) that is listedin a presented user geographic playlist 116. On the other hand, if a“historical event” category is listed, the predefined threshold distancemay be several kilometers, or even hundreds of kilometers, so that theuser could make travel plans to visit the location associated with thehistorical event that is associated with the media content event (orportion thereof) that is listed in a presented user geographic playlist116. These category-based predefined threshold distances are stored is asuitable location in the database 400 or in another suitable memorymedium. Threshold distances may be user specific. For example, a firstuser may have access to an automobile, such as a rented car while onvacation. In contrast, a second user may be relying on publictransportation, such as a taxi cab, a bus, or the like. Accordingly, thethreshold distance for the first user may be greater than the thresholddistance for the second user.

Any suitable database format for the database 400 may be used by thevarious embodiments. For example, the database 400 may be configured asa relational database. In some embodiments, the above-describedinformation of the database 400 may be distributed over a plurality ofmemory mediums, some of which may be remotely located.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an example embodiment of a user geographicplaylist 500. The example user geographic playlist 500 includes alisting of the identifier, such as the title, of at least one mediacontent event (or portion thereof) that has an associated geographiclocation that corresponds to (matches) the determined geographiclocation of the mobile device 112. The user geographic playlist 500corresponds to the user geographic playlist of FIG. 1.

The user geographic playlist 500 is arranged in a column format with acolumn 502 indicating content identifiers and a column 504 indicatingcontent comments (“content com”) pertaining to the adjacent associatedlisted media content event (or portion thereof). Any suitable format maybe used to present information on a user geographic playlist 116.Further, additional information, such as associated category identifiersand or a specific address, may be included on a presented usergeographic playlist 500.

The user geographic playlist 500 is configured to be presented on thedisplay 118 of the mobile device 112 or a display 118 communicativelycoupled to the media device 102 (FIG. 1). When the display 118 of themobile device 112 is relatively small, the content of the presented usergeographic playlist 500 may be limited so as to improve visibilityand/or readability for the user. If the display is relatively large,additional information may be added to a presented user geographicplaylist 500. Further, font sizes and or font types may be adjusted tooptimize visibility and/or readability for the user.

In the event that a large number of media content events (or portionsthereof) are listed in a presented user geographic playlist 500, suchthat all of the listed media content events (or portions thereof) cannotbe concurrently presented on the display 118, a user may operate theirmobile device 112 to scroll down, and/or page down, through the listingsof media content events (or portions thereof). Some embodiments maypermit the user to sort the listed media content events based on auser-specified search criteria and/or a user-specified category or thelike that is specified by the user via their mobile device 112.

The information presented in column 504 is based on information storedin the comments 406 portion of the database 400 (FIG. 4). The presentedinformation is selected so that the viewing user appreciates therelevance of the listed media content event (or portion thereof) totheir current location (that was provided by their mobile device 112).Other information may include the location and/or an address pertainingto the listed media content event (or portion thereof).

In some embodiments, the presented user geographic playlist 500 is aninteractive type graphical user interface (GUI) that the user mayinteract with. For example, the user may scroll down to a listed one ofthe media content events (or portions thereof), and then select thatmedia content event (or portion thereof). If the display is a touchsensitive type display, the user may simply touch the particular listedmedia content event (or portion thereof) of interest to cause theselection.

For example, FIG. 5 illustrates that the second listed media contentevent (or portion thereof) identified as “CONTENT TITLE 2” has beenselected by the user, as indicated by the bold lining 506 about thatlisted media content event (or portion thereof). Here, the comment 508(“CONTENT COM 2”) associated with the selected media content event (orportion thereof) has provided sufficient information for the viewinguser to intuitively appreciate the significance of that particular mediacontent event (or portion thereof) to their current location. Here, itis appreciated that the user is interested in viewing the selected mediacontent event (or portion thereof) and/or in obtaining additionalsupplemental information about the selected media content event (orportion thereof).

Embodiments of the geographic location playlist generation system 100may be configured to take a variety of actions in response to a userselection of one of the listed media content events (or portionsthereof). Some embodiments may cause the selected media content event(or portion thereof) to be accessed and presented on the display 118.Alternatively, or additionally, the media device 102 may be configuredto record the selected media content event (or portion thereof).

In some embodiments, selection of a listed media content event (orportion thereof) will change presentation on the display 118 to anotherscreen display and/or GUI. FIG. 6 is an illustration of an exampleembodiment of a GUI 600 that is presented on the display 118 in responseto a user's selection of one of the listed media content events (orportions thereof). Here, the title 602 of the selected media contentevent (or portion thereof) is indicated along with a portion thatprovides additional detailed information 604 pertaining to the selectedmedia content event (or portion thereof).

In some embodiments, an active region 606 of the GUI 600 permits theuser to cause the geographic location playlist generation system 100 toperform other specified actions. For example, if more descriptiveinformation is available, the user may select the “More Information”option by appropriately activating the GUI 600. In response to selectingthe “More Information” option, a new page is pretend with the additionaldescriptive information.

Alternatively, or additionally, embodiments may enable the user toinitiate presentation of the selected media content event (or portionthereof). Here, the user may appropriately activate the GUI 600 suchthat the selected media content event (or portion thereof) is accessedand is immediately presented on the display 118.

Alternatively, or additionally, embodiments may enable the user toinitiate a recording (storing) of the selected media content event (orportion thereof). Here, the user may appropriately activate the GUI 600such that the selected media content event (or portion thereof) becomesscheduled for recording by the media device 102. In some embodiments,the mobile device 112 may become configured to record the selected mediacontent event (or portion thereof).

In another embodiment of the user geographic playlist 116, an indicationis presented to the user that informs the user that a list of mediacontent events (or portions thereof) that are relevant to the determinedgeographic location of the mobile device 112 is available. The user maythen selectively opt to have the user geographic playlist 116 presented.

In some embodiments, the user may be able to sort, filter, search, orotherwise screen a plurality of identified media content events (orportions thereof) prior to presentation of the user geographic playlist116 on the display 118. For example, current user geographic playlistinformation may contain many listed media content events (or portionsthereof). Here, a listing of selectable categories may be presented tothe user prior to presentation of the user geographic playlist 116. Theuser may select one or more of the presented categories, and/or specifytheir own category of interest. Based on the selected categories, theentire list of identified media content events (or portions thereof) maythen be filtered such that only those particular media content events(or portions thereof) that are associated with the selected categoriesare present on the user geographic playlist 116.

When filtering by a specified category, the user specified category isused to identify categories stored in the categories 408 portion of thedatabase 400 that have been associated with media content events (orportions thereof). Alternatively, or additionally, a keyword search,based on one or more user-specified keywords, may be made for like orsimilar words that are stored in the comments portion 406 of thedatabase 400 that have been associated with media content events (orportions thereof).

Further, in some embodiments that filter based on selected categories,the user may be permitted to navigate through a plurality of pages in ahierarchal manner to refine category selection. For example, a firstpresented page of general categories may list content type categories,such as movies, serial programs, sporting events, travel programs,cooking programs, animation programs, historical programs, newsbroadcasts, and even advertisements, commercials or the like. Inresponse to selection of one of the content type categories, a list ofmore specific theme type categories and/or object type categoriesrelated to the selected general content type category may be presented.For example, the user may select the general content type category ofcooking programs. Subcategories relating to cooking programs may then beoffered. Example subcategories may include types of cuisine,restaurants, cooking techniques, names of chefs, or the like. Inresponse to selecting one or more subcategories, one or more mediacontent events (or portions thereof) that are associated with theselected subcategories, and that are within proximity to the determinedgeographic location of the mobile device 112, may be identified togenerate geographic location playlist information. This geographiclocation playlist information is then used to present a user geographicplaylist 116 to the user that lists media content events (or portionsthereof) pertaining to the specified subcategory.

As another example, the user may select the general object type categoryof “people” on a first presented geographic playlist 116. Subcategoriesof people may include types, or even names, of people (actors,directors, publishers, celebrities, politicians, singers, musicians,athletes, historical figures, etc.). Once one or more subcategories areselected, one or more media content events (or portions thereof) thatare associated with the selected subcategories, and that are withinproximity to the determined geographic location of the mobile device112, may be identified to generate geographic location playlistinformation.

In the various embodiments of the geographic location playlistgeneration system 100, it is appreciated that it is impractical toconcurrently monitor geographic location information for all mobiledevices 112 (since there are currently millions of mobile devices 112 inoperation around the world at any given moment). An example embodimentlimits the number of monitored mobile devices 112 by using asubscription-based service. Thus, a user may subscribe to a geographiclocation playlist generation service. Alternatively, or additionally,the user may have subscribed to a related service, such as bysubscribing to content service provided by a particular contentprovider.

However, even a subscription-based service system may not havesufficient computational capacity and/or connective capacity so that allsubscribers may be continuously monitored. Accordingly, some embodimentsare configured to monitor geographic location information from selectedmobile devices 112 and/or generate geographic location playlistinformation for selected users. Selection of mobile devices 112 may bemade in a variety of manners.

An example embodiment requires a user to log into the geographiclocation playlist generation system 100 to initiate the monitoringprocess of selected mobile devices 112. For example, to select a mobiledevice 112 for monitoring, the user may be required to log into thegeographic location playlist generation system 100 when they depart on atrip, vacation or the like. The monitoring process may be ended inresponse to the user again logging into the geographic location playlistgeneration system 100 to end the monitoring service. Alternatively, oradditionally, the monitoring may end after cessation of movement of themobile device 112 from some predefined duration, such as one or morehours or some predefined number of minutes.

Alternatively, or additionally, some embodiments may automaticallyselect mobile devices 112 and initiate the monitoring of the geographiclocation information provided by mobile devices 112 after a currentlocation of the mobile device exceeds some first predefined distancethreshold away from a home location. For example, if the user's mobiledevice 112 indicates a location that has exceeded 1,000 kilometers, itis likely that the user is travelling on a trip, vacation or the like.Accordingly, monitoring and/or generating the geographic locationplaylist information may be automatically initiated. In someembodiments, the monitoring may end when the mobile device 112 returnsto within some second predefined distance of the home location. Thesecond predefined distance may be different from the first predefineddistance. The home location may be based on account information of thesubscribing user and/or may be specified by the user. Further, multiplehome locations may be employed to initiate the monitoring and/or to endthe monitoring.

In some embodiments, the monitoring may be implicitly initiated when themobile device 112 is operated by the user. For example, the user mayoperate their mobile device 112 to select a category of interest. Here,it is implicitly appreciated that the monitoring process is to beinitiated so that geographic location playlist information can begenerated.

Alternatively, or additionally, the selecting and monitoring process maybe initiated in response to a user request for presentation of a usergeographic playlist 116. Here, geographic location information iscommunicated from the mobile device 112 in response to the user request.Then, the current location of the mobile device 112 is determined, andthe geographic location playlist information is then generated based onthe determined current geographic location of the mobile device 112.

Alternatively, or additionally, the selecting and monitoring process maybe initiated in response to a user operating their mobile device 112 foranother purpose. For example, the user may operate the tablet 112 a orthe smart phone 112 b to make a telephone call to another party or touse at least one application residing on the tablet 112 a or the smartphone 112 b. Here, the current location of the mobile device 112 isdetermined in response to the use of the mobile device 112, and thegeographic location playlist information is then generated based on thedetermined current geographic location.

Alternatively, or additionally, the selecting and monitoring process maybe initiated periodically. Here, the current location of the mobiledevice 112 is determined at predefined periodic times, such as one anhour, day or the like. The geographic location playlist information isthen generated based on the determined current geographic location ofthe mobile device 112. This determined geographic location playlistinformation may be pushed to the user's mobile device 112, and may thenbe stored until a user request for presentation of a user geographicplaylist 116 is received.

In some embodiments, once the geographic location playlist informationhas been generated, a notification is communicated to the user's mobiledevice 112. The notification indicates the availability of thegeographic location playlist information. If the user responds andindicates that they wish to view the corresponding user geographicplaylist 116, then the geographic location playlist information is usedto generate a presented user geographic playlist 116. If no response isreceived, or if the user indicates that they do not want to see the usergeographic playlist 116, then no further actions are taken (at leastuntil a later date).

In some situations, a plurality of different users may be associatedwith a single mobile device 112. Further, each different user may havedifferent preferences and/or interests from other users. Accordingly, anexample embodiment generates a plurality of different user geographicplaylist information based on the identities, preferences and/orinterests of each user. The user identity or identifier may be includedin the received geographic location information that is provided by themobile device 112. When the user identifies themselves via the mobiledevice 112 to the geographic location playlist device 104, the usergeographic playlist information associated with that particularidentified user is used to generate the geographic playlist informationand present the user geographic playlist 116 for that particular user.

Alternatively, a single user geographic playlist information file may begenerated based on the determined geographic location of the mobiledevice 112. The user geographic playlist information file also includesthe categories that have been associated with the media content events(or portions thereof). When a request is made for presentation of a usergeographic playlist 116, the user also provides their identityinformation. The mobile device 112 includes a list of user categoriesthat have been associated with particular users and/or user identifiers.Accordingly, the user geographic playlist 116 is generated and presentedbased on filtering using user category identifiers that have beenpreviously associated with that particular user. In such embodiments,the database 400 may include a list of user identifiers, and may includea list of category identifiers that have been associated with the useridentifier. The categories may be defined based on the user's identity,preferences and/or interests. The user identifier may be an identifierof the user, such as their name, account number, password or the like.The user identifier may also be the identifier of the mobile device 112.

Alternatively, a list of user identities and a list of user categoryidentifiers that have been defined based on the user's preferencesand/or interests may be locally stored at the mobile device 112 and/orat the media device 102. The mobile device receives geographic playlistinformation that also includes categories associated with each of themedia content events (or portions thereof). Since the list of usercategories is stored at the mobile device 112, the processor system ofthe media device can compare the stored user categories with thecategories in the geographic playlist information so that the usergeographic playlist 116 is presented based on the user categories forthat particular user.

FIG. 7 is an example user geographic playlist 116 presented as a map 702with indicating icons 704 associated with media content events ofinterest. Here, a street map or satellite image centered about thecurrent determined location of the mobile device 112, such as theexample smart phone 112 b, is presented on the display 118. Icons 704related to identified media content events that may be of interest areshown on the map 702. The icons 704 are shown in proximity to therelated geographic location information pertaining to that particularmedia content event. The current location of and/or distances from themobile device 112 may be shown on the map 702, such as by a series ofcentric circles or the like.

In some embodiments, the user may expand or collapse the geographiccoverage of the map 702. Further, filtering based on categories or thelike may be used so that presented icons 704 identify media contentevent.

In some embodiments, the reference center location may be moved by theuser. For example, the user may adjust the position of the presented maparea such that different regions of the map are presented. Icons 704 inthe currently presented map region may then be shown. Alternatively, oradditionally, the user may specify some known location of interest oridentify a point of interest, such as a city, address, landmark or thelike. The presented region may then be centered about the user specifiedlocation or point of interest.

A pointer 706 may be maneuvered about the presented map 702 such thatwhen the pointer hovers above or near a particular icon 704, a pop-upwindow 708 is presented. The pop-up window may indicate additionalinformation about the media content event that is associated (such as,but not limited to, a scheduled broadcast time of the media contentevent, an indication of whether the media content event is available ondemand, and/or whether the media content event can be accessed for freeor for a fee). Selection of the icon 704 may cause presentation and/orstorage of the associated media content event.

An icon 704 can be of fixed shape and/or size. Additionally, an icon 704can depict an arbitrarily shaped area with a distinctive pattern, color,and/or boundary that corresponds to the actual size of theweather-related phenomenon. Any suitable icon fill color, pattern,and/or brightness/intensity may be used. The shape and or fill of theicon 704 may intuitively inform the user about one or morecharacteristics pertaining to the associated media content event.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of thegeographic location playlist generation system 100 are merely possibleexamples of implementations of the invention. Many variations andmodifications may be made to the above-described embodiments. All suchmodifications and variations are intended to be included herein withinthe scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

1. A method performed at a geographic location playlist device,comprising: receiving a predefined distance threshold that has beenspecified by a user; receiving location information from a mobile devicethat is communicatively coupled to the geographic location playlistdevice; identifying, based on the received location information, atleast one of a plurality of media content events that has at least oneassociated geographic location that is within the predefined distancethreshold from the received location information; determining, at thegeographic location playlist device, an identifier of at least one ofthe plurality of media content events that is available for viewing to auser of the mobile device, wherein the identifier is determined based onelectronic program guide (EPG) information that defines a futurebroadcast schedule of media content events; generating user geographicplaylist information that includes the identifier of the at least one ofthe plurality of media content events; and communicating the generatedgeographic playlist information to the mobile device that provided thereceived location information.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving, at the geographic location playlist device, auser specification from the mobile device, wherein the userspecification corresponds to a selection of one of the media contentevents that is indicated on the presented geographic playlist;specifying travel directions from the current geographic location of themobile device to the geographic location associated with the selectedplurality of media content events.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereinafter the generated geographic playlist is communicated from thegeographic location playlist device to the mobile device, the methodfurther comprising: receiving, at the geographic location playlistdevice, a user specification from the mobile device, wherein the userspecification corresponds to a selection of one of the media contentevents that is indicated on the presented geographic playlist; whereinat least a portion of the selected media content event is accessed froma content system, wherein at least the portion of the selected mediacontent event is communicated to the mobile device and is presented tothe user by the mobile device.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein thecommunicated portion of the selected media content event is associatedwith location information that is the same as the received locationinformation.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein after the generatedgeographic playlist is communicated from the geographic locationplaylist device to the mobile device, the method further comprising:receiving, at the geographic location playlist device, a userspecification from the mobile device, wherein the user specificationcorresponds to a selection of one of the media content events that isindicated on the presented geographic playlist, wherein at least aportion of the selected media content event is accessed from a remotecontent system, wherein at least the portion of the selected mediacontent event is communicated to the media device and is stored by adigital video recorder (DVR) controlled by the media device for laterpresentation to the user.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein thecommunicated portion of the selected media content event is associatedwith location information that is the same as the received locationinformation.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein after the generatedgeographic playlist is communicated to the mobile device, the methodfurther comprising: receiving, at the geographic location playlistdevice, a user specification from the media device, wherein the userspecification corresponds to a selection of one of the plurality ofmedia content events that is indicated on the presented geographicplaylist, wherein at least a portion of the selected media content eventis received at the mobile device during its broadcast and is presentedto the user by the mobile device.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein thebroadcasting portion of the selected media content event is associatedwith location information that is the same as the received locationinformation.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein after the generatedgeographic playlist is communicated from the geographic locationplaylist device to the mobile device, the method further comprising:receiving, at the geographic location playlist device, a userspecification from the media device, wherein the user specificationcorresponds to a selection of one of the plurality of media contentevents that is indicated on the presented geographic playlist, whereinat least a portion of the selected media content event is received atthe media device during its broadcast, and wherein the broadcastingportion of the first type of media content is stored by a digital videorecorder (DVR) controlled by the media device for later presentation tothe user.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the communicated portion ofthe selected media content event is associated with location informationthat is the same as the received location information.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: storing the generated geographic playlistinformation at the geographic location playlist device; receiving, atthe geographic location playlist device from one of the mobile device orthe media device, a user request for the stored geographic playlistinformation; and communicating the stored geographic playlistinformation from the geographic location playlist device to therequesting one of the mobile device or a media device in response toreceiving the user request.
 12. A method performed at a geographiclocation playlist device, comprising: receiving, at the geographiclocation playlist device, a user specification that specifies a mediacontent category, wherein the category is one of a plurality ofcategories, each associated with a predefined category distance;receiving location information from a mobile device that iscommunicatively coupled to the geographic location playlist device;comparing the received location information with geographic locationinformation residing in a database of media content playlistinformation, wherein each geographic location information defines ageographic location that is associated with at least one of a pluralityof media content events; comparing the received media content categorywith category information residing in the database of media contentplaylist information, wherein each category information defines acategory that is associated with at least one of the plurality of mediacontent events identifying, based on the comparison of the receivedlocation information with the geographic locations and the comparison ofthe received category information with the categories residing in thedatabase, at least one of the plurality of media content events that hasat least one associated geographic location that is within thepredefined category distance of the specified media content categoryfrom the received location information; determining, at the geographiclocation playlist device, an identifier of at least one of the pluralityof media content events that is available for viewing to a user of themobile device, wherein the identifier is determined based on electronicprogram guide (EPG) information that defines a future broadcast scheduleof media content events; generating user geographic playlist informationthat includes the identifier of the at least one the plurality of mediacontent events; and communicating the generated geographic playlistinformation to the mobile device that provided the received locationinformation.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: receiving,at the geographic location playlist device, a user specification fromthe mobile device, wherein the user specification corresponds to aselection of one of the plurality of media content events that isindicated on the presented geographic playlist; specifying traveldirections from the current geographic location of the mobile device tothe geographic location associated with the selected one of theplurality of media content events.
 14. The method of claim 12, whereinafter the generated geographic playlist is communicated from thegeographic location playlist device to the mobile device, the methodfurther comprising: receiving, at the geographic location playlistdevice, a user specification from the mobile device, wherein the userspecification corresponds to a selection of one of the plurality ofmedia content events that is indicated on the presented geographicplaylist; wherein at least a portion of the selected media content eventis accessed from a content system, wherein at least the portion of theselected media content event is communicated to the mobile device and ispresented to the user by the mobile device.
 15. The method of claim 12,wherein after the generated geographic playlist is communicated from thegeographic location playlist device to the mobile device, the methodfurther comprising: receiving, at the geographic location playlistdevice, a user specification from the mobile device, wherein the userspecification corresponds to a selection of one of the plurality ofmedia content events that is indicated on the presented geographicplaylist, wherein at least a portion of the selected media content eventis accessed from a remote content system, wherein at least the portionof the selected media content event is communicated to the media deviceand is stored by a digital video recorder (DVR) controlled by the mediadevice for later presentation to the user.
 16. The method of claim 12,wherein after the generated geographic playlist is communicated to themobile device, the method further comprising: receiving, at thegeographic location playlist device, a user specification from the mediadevice, wherein the user specification corresponds to a selection of oneof the media content events that is indicated on the presentedgeographic playlist, wherein at least a portion of the selected mediacontent event is received at the mobile device during its broadcast andis presented to the user by the mobile device.
 17. The method of claim12, wherein after the generated geographic playlist is communicated fromthe geographic location playlist device to the mobile device, the methodfurther comprising: receiving, at the geographic location playlistdevice, a user specification from the media device, wherein the userspecification corresponds to a selection of one of the plurality ofmedia content events that is indicated on the presented geographicplaylist, wherein at least a portion of the selected media content eventis received at the media device during its broadcast, and wherein thebroadcasting portion of the media content is stored by a digital videorecorder (DVR) controlled by the media device for later presentation tothe user.
 18. A geographic location playlist device, comprising: acommunications network interface configured to: communicatively couplethe geographic location playlist device to a plurality of mobile devicesvia a communication system, and receive, from a mobile device that iscurrently communicatively coupled to the communications networkinterface, geographic location information associated with a currentlocation of the mobile device; a memory, wherein the memory stores adatabase of geographic playlist information, wherein the database ofgeographic playlist information includes at least a unique firstidentifier for each one of a plurality of media content events, whereineach of the plurality of media content events are a movie or a serialprogram that are defined by a plurality of segments, wherein thedatabase of geographic playlist information includes at least a uniquesecond identifier for each segment, and wherein the database ofgeographic playlist information includes at least one associatedgeographic location that is associated with each segment; and aprocessor system communicatively coupled to the memory and thecommunications network interface, wherein the processor system isconfigured to: determine a current geographic location of the mobiledevice based on the received geographic location information; receive apredefined distance threshold that has been specified by a user;identify, based on the current geographic location of the mobile device,at least one of the segments having its associated geographic locationthat is within the predefined distance threshold from the currentgeographic location of the respective mobile device, and generate usergeographic playlist information, wherein the user geographic playlistinformation includes the second identifier of the segment and the firstidentifier of the associated media content event.
 19. The device ofclaim 18, wherein the processor system is further configured to specifytravel directions from the current geographic location of the mobiledevice to the geographic location associated with a selected one of thesegments.
 20. The device of claim 18, wherein the processor system isfurther configured to: store the generated geographic playlistinformation at the geographic location playlist device; receive, at thegeographic location playlist device from the mobile device, a userrequest for the stored geographic playlist information; and communicatethe stored geographic playlist information from the geographic locationplaylist device to the requesting mobile device in response to receivingthe user request.